Citrus seed oils composition

Table 7 shows the fatty acid composition of different citrus seed oils. The ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids is approximately 2 1 (9), although this ratio was reported to be in the range of 3-5 1 by Nagy (35). Generally, different varieties, cultivar, location, storage condition, and harvesting time of citrus fruit may lead to this variation. Table 8 shows the content of the six major fatty acids in different citrus seed oils these are linoleic (C18 2), palmitic (C16 0), oleic (C18 l), linolenic (C18 3), stearic (C18 0), and palmitoleic (C16 l) acids. 

Table 7.1 Range of fatty acid composition in Florida citrus seed oils...

The ranges of fatty acid composition for several Florida citrus seed oils are shown in Table 7.1. Filsoof and Mehran (1976) studied the fatty acid composition of eight different citrus seed oils and found the fatty acid profiles to be very similar for the oils of oranges, limes and sweet lemons. This similarity of fatty acid composition has the advantage that any change in the availability of given varieties may be expected to have no effect on the quality of the finished oil. 

Filsoof, M. and Mehran, M. (1976) Fatty acid composition of Iranian citrus seed oils. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 53, 654-655. 

TABLE 10.6. Composition of Different Citrus Seed Oils, ... 

There is considerable interest in the chemical composition and properties of citrus oils and essences as well as the role they play in food and nonfood industries. Citrus peel oils and essences possess a pleasant aroma, with oxygenated compounds being the major constituents that account for their characteristic odor. Terpenes, the most abundant components in cold-pressed citms peel oil, are removed in concentrated oil production, usually by use of adsorbant and supercritical carbon dioxide, to increase the concentration of oxygenated compounds and to enhance the qualification of the oil. Meanwhile, citms seed oils are composed largely of triacylglycerols and are rich in oleic and linoleic acids. 

---